This time, however, the young Portuguese manager cannot complain about penalties not being awarded, red card decisions or anything other than the fact that his Chelsea side were outplayed by Arsenal.

Overseeing the Blues’ heaviest ever Premier League home defeat is not a record that the man who was unbeaten in 36 consecutive games last season will be proud of – but it is one he must accept and learn from.

In a game which pitted the experience of ArsÃ¨ne Wenger against the young pretender Villas-Boas and where good defending was positively unfashionable it was in the end the wily Frenchman who came out on top.

Arsenal have been much maligned recently and what is ironic is that despite recording such a resounding victory against their bitter rivals, they did little to show that they have addressed their defensive stability, which has been the focus of such criticism.

Per Mertesacker looks far from being the rock in the heart of defence that his signing was meant to bring and he was out of position for Chelseaâ€™s first goal and outmuscled for their second.

However, defence was not the order of day and in attack the Gunners showed that they are still very much a team to be feared.

Arsenal may have lost their last inspirational captain to Barcelona but they have found a new one – and Robin Van Persie is in the form of his life.

The Dutchman has scored nine goals in his last five Premier League games and his fantastic hat-trick once again illustrated just how vital it is for the Gunners that he signs a new contract.

While Villas-Boas and Chelsea will return to the training ground licking their wounds, they will know that they are not far away from having what it takes to seriously challenge for the title.

Juan Mata once again excelled for the Blues, creating the opening goal with an expertly aimed cross and smashing in their third with a swerving shot from 25 yards out.

However, questions remain defensively and only Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers and Arsenal themselves have conceded more goals than Chelsea this season.

The Gunners are testament to the fact that it is difficult to win trophies with problems at the back and if Villas-Boas wants to have any hope of emulating his Arsenal counterpartâ€™s 14 years in charge then he will have to sort out Chelseaâ€™s.

Wenger is fortunate, over the last few years Arsenal have had a patient chairman. Recent history suggests Villas-Boas should not count on the same at Chelsea.